This book considers the state of Czech democracy, following the rise of authoritarian regimes in Poland and Hungary and the ascent of billionaire oligarch Andrej Babis to the office of prime minister of the Czech Republic, leading to concerns about conflict of interest. The authors argue that civic values, such as tolerance, respect for the equality of people, and readiness to play by the rules of the political game, are key factors in determining whether the Czech Republic will maintain its democracy in the coming years. The book employs a broad perspective, bringing together insights from political science, sociology, cultural studies, and other disciplines to analyse changes in the democracy of the Czech Republic since 1989, taking into consideration various dimensions of civic values, including politics, gender inequality, film, and the media.
"This new book is a worthy contribution to our understanding of the state of democracy in Czechia because it focuses on different yet essential issues. ... it is a perfect springboard for anyone who wants to get accurate and up-to-date information. Even a Czech Republic specialist or enthusiast will find valuable information and inspiration to ask further questions about how Czech politics is impacted by the set of values and attitudes shared by the majority of Czech citizens." (Vít Hlousek, Czech Journal of Political Science, Issue 3, 2022)